Which statement regarding vitamin D for breastfed infants is consistent with guidelines?

Which statement regarding vitamin D for breastfed infants is consistent with guidelines?

• A. Stop supplementation at 6 months
• B. Continue supplementation until 1 year
• C. Not necessary to supplement
• D. Increase to 600 IU after 6 months

Answer: (B)

Breast milk has relatively low vitamin D, so babies who are breastfed need a daily dose to prevent deficiency and rickets. Guidelines call for giving 400 IU of vitamin D each day starting soon after birth and continuing this supplementation until the infant is consuming enough vitamin D–fortified formula or cow’s milk, or until about 1 year of age. Because many breastfed babies don’t get enough vitamin D from breast milk alone, continuing supplementation up to 1 year aligns with the recommendations. Stopping at 6 months would risk deficiency if the baby remains breastfed without enough fortified formula; not supplementing at all ignores a well-established need; and increasing to 600 IU daily isn’t a standard routine unless a clinician identifies a specific deficiency.

Breast milk has relatively low vitamin D, so babies who are breastfed need a daily dose to prevent deficiency and rickets. Guidelines call for giving 400 IU of vitamin D each day starting soon after birth and continuing this supplementation until the infant is consuming enough vitamin D–fortified formula or cow’s milk, or until about 1 year of age. Because many breastfed babies don’t get enough vitamin D from breast milk alone, continuing supplementation up to 1 year aligns with the recommendations. Stopping at 6 months would risk deficiency if the baby remains breastfed without enough fortified formula; not supplementing at all ignores a well-established need; and increasing to 600 IU daily isn’t a standard routine unless a clinician identifies a specific deficiency.